I ran across one of the last of a dying breed today – the local street sharpener working out of his modified motorcycle. His equipment is simple, yet effective: a stone grinding wheel for chips and repairs, a sandpaper flap wheel for the majority of the sharpening, and a very worn out 2×32″ belt for finishing.

He plugs his power cord in at the local shop he is visiting. He had a few other odds and ends for straightening blades and an oil stone he said he long since stopped using since most of the knives are poor quality steel these days.

We had a wonderful conversation, discussing some of the other sharpeners in town and how he is happy to be mobile and independent service without a storefront or employees to worry about. He got his start when his brother learned sharpening in Japan and set him up with the equipment he has been using since (the belt grinder needed a little knowing nudge to begin working).

He had no illusions of his purpose and his quality. More experienced sharpeners watching this video will no doubt have a lot to say about it, but he charges very little per knife and comes by every week or so. Several years ago, I would’ve been snooty and pointing out everything he did wrong. But experience has taught me some humility and perspective, and I truly praised his work, and will appreciate this chance meeting and this modern day reflection on his function in time and in the community.